Extension arm for furniture



J 12, 1956 M. MANSON ET AL EXTENSION ARM FOR FURNITURE Filed April 11, 1955 ATTORNEYS.

EXTENSION ARM FOR FURNITURE Morris Manson, Brooklyn, N. Y., and Frederick Hafckost, liopatcong, N. 5., assignors to Steel Slides, Inc., New Rochelle, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 11, 1955, Serial No. 500,566

9 Claims. (Cl. 311-71) This invention relates to extension arms, and more particularly to such arms for furniture, including tables, cabinets and the like, thereby to permit easy separation of portions of such a table or easy relative movement of different parts of cabinets.

The invention in one aspect thereof comprises an extension arm composed of a plurality of slide elements and particularly to a special form of one of the slide elements. Suchslide element includes in combination a central channel portion having integral therewith a pair of outwardly directed and opposite primary flanges, there being a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along the respective opposite and outer edges of said primary flanges. A pair of inwardly directed flanges integral with and respectively connected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel portions, each inwardly directed flange being spaced from its respective subchan'nel portion thereby to define a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such slide element, the aforementioned central channel portion being interposed between the opposite subchannel portions of each of the aforementioned pairs of such portions.

The invention in still another aspect thereof is constituted by a slide element for an extension arm comprising a main channel portion adapted for nesting cooperation with an identical channel portion of another such element slidably engaging same. The main channel portion is provided with a bottom part having a preselected uniform outer transverse dimension and a top part having a selected uniform inner transverse dimension substantially similar to but slightly in excess of such preselected outer dimension whereby the top part of one of such main channel portions is nestable with respect to the bottom part of the main channel of the next adjacent slide element thereby achieving the aforementioned nesting cooperation. From the opposite edges of the top part of such main channel portion there extends outwardly a pair of opposite primary flanges which are integral with such top part of such main channel portion. Further, there are provided a pair of opposite slide element sides which are formed integrally each with its respective primary flange, said main channel portion being interposed between such opposite slide element sides. The opposite slide element sides are formed respectively in transverse cross-section in the shape substantially of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannels next adjacent respective of said opposite primary flanges, and. a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposed subcha'nnels next adjacent respective of said first-mentioned subch'annels, said main channel portion intervening between said last-mentioned oppositely disposed subchannels, The two interiorly accessible subchannels are thus positioned for receiving: the respective primary flanges of another slide element, the transverse distance between the opatent ice posite edges of said primary flanges being less than the transverse distance between the opposite bottoms of the interiorly accessible subchannels. The bottom part of the main channel portion is positioned in such a way that when it is in nesting relation with the top part of another slide element, the primary flanges of such other slide element are in substantial alignment with said nesting top and bottom main channel portions thereby to place in substantial alignment the several load-bearing areas of the nesting slide elements.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an extension arm for furniture which is of superior strength and which is of unusually low cost.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a pair of nesting slide elements, each oi? such elements embodying the present invention; a

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the extension arm shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an opposite side elevation of the extension arm shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, such extension arm consists of nesting slide elements in which one of the principal distinctions over prior slide elements resides in the fact thatthe main channel thereof, instead of being turned away from the two opposite slide element sides, is in effect turned inside out whereby the main channel or center channel portion of each slide element is interposed directly between the sides of the slide elements. This has the important effect of bringing into substantial alignment the nesting portions of the main or center channels of each slide element with the primary flanges of one of such slide elements. The effect of bringing such main channel nesting portions into alignment with such opposite primary flanges of one of the slide elements is to increase substantially the strength characteristics of an extension arm composed of such slide elements largely because of the alignment of the principal bearing areas thereof.

Referring now to Fig. 1, such an extension arm 10 will now be described which is constituted by two slide elements 11 and 12.

Only one of such slide elements, namely, 11, will be described, it being understood, of course, that the other element 12 is identical thereto. The slide element 11 is constituted by the central or main channel portion 13 having abase channel portion 14 of relatively restricted outer transverse dimension, and a flared channel portion- 15 having an inner transverse dimension which is substantially equal tobut slightly greater than the aforementioned transverse outer dimension of the base channel portion 14, thereby permitting a nesting action of the base or restricted channel portion within the flared channel portion as'is well shown in Fig- 1.

Extending firorn the opposite and outer edges of the channel 13 are the two opposite primary flanges 16 and 17 which are, as before, integral with the main channel portion 13 and are formed integral therewith, for example, by means of rolling. same from a common metal strip. Such oppositely extending primary flanges 16 and 17 at their outer edges are provided respectively with primary lips of flange folds 18- and 19 which comprise the interconnection with the two opposite slide element sides 20 and 21, respectively. The slide element sides 2t) and 21 are respectively in the form of an S and a reverse S and are sometimes herein referred to each as a double groove or double channel portion. The slide element sides form such S and reverse 8 in transverse crosssection.

It will be observed that such slide element sides 20 and 2B. are disposed in such a manner that the main or center channel portion 13 is directly interposed therebetween.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the slide element side Ztl, by virtue of its particular configuration, which as aforementioned in transverse cross-section is an 3, forms an exteriorly accessible subchannel 22 and and interiorly accessible subchannel 23, it being understood, of course, that analogous but oppositely disposed subchannels 24 and 2.5 are formed by the slide element side 21.

The transverse cross-sectional conformation of the slide element side 29, as is well shown in Fig. 1, provides a secondary flange 26 and a tertiary flange 27, the analogues thereof being 23 and 29, respectively, for the slide element side 21.

Referring again to the particular conformation of the slide element side 20, a peak fold 30 is formed, as shown in Fig, l, and also a base fold 31. The peak fold 30 is provided between the upper portion of the slide element side (when viewed turned 90 counterclockwise with respect to Fig. 1) and the secondary flange 26; whereas the base fold 31 is an interconnecting fold between the secondary flange 26 and the tertiary flange 27.

The slide element 12 is provided with a main or center channel portion 32 which in turn has a restricted or base portion 33 (analogous to 14 above described) and a flared portion 34 which is analogous to the above-described flared portion 15 of the center channel 13.

As is well shown in Fig. l, the base channel portion 33 of the slide element 32 is nesting within the flared portion 15 of the slide element 11 and such nested portions are in alignment with the primary flanges 16 and 17 and hence with the primary lips or flange folds 18 and 19. The rounded outer edges of such flange folds coact with base folds 35 and 36 of the slide element 12 to provide substantial supporting areas upon which rests the load which the extension arm may be supporting. The outer areas of the base channel portion 33 (of slide element 12) may be conformed to coact with the inner surfaces of the flared channel portion 15 to assist in providing loadbearing areas which cooperate with the aforementioned flange folds 18 and 19 which in turn coact with the inner surfaces of the base folds 35 and 36.

Because of the virtual alignment of the flange folds 18 and 19, the base folds 35, 36 and the aforementioned nesting portions 15 and 33 of the main channels 13 and 32, an extension arm composed of the slide elements as in Fig. l is: of substantially superior strength characteristics; of high resistance to. sag; and occupies less space as compared to the prior art.

An extension arm having three slide elements and operatively interconnected by sprocket chains, as shown in Fig. 5 of copending patent application Serial No. 500,477, can be composed of the modified forms of slide elements, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the particular extension arm 10 of Fig. 1 consists only of the abovedescribed two slide elements 11 and 12. One of such latter slide elements, for example, may be rigidly secured as by a bracket 37 to a support 38 by rivets 38a. The brackets 37, for example, may be rigidly secured to primary flanges 39 and 40 of the slide element 12.

If desired, suitable limit-stops may be formed upon the slide elements 11 and 12, for example, ear portion 41, as in Fig. 2, which extend upwardly from the floor of the main channel 13 of the slide element 11. Cooperating with the limit-stop ear 41 is a finger 42 which may be positioned, as shown in Fig. 2, and bent into the path of such car 41.

There is thus provided a novel extension arm of superior strength which is particularly desirable in those applications wherein space is at a premium, for example, as guiding means for the drawers of cabinets. Such extension arm can be employed one on each side of a drawer of a cabinet, one slide element being secured to the cabinet and the other to the drawer. Also in another form thereof, if desired, only a single extension arm may be employed as a guide means for such drawer or the like, such extension arm being situated, for example, in the center of the bottom of the drawer and, of course, with one slide element thereof secured to a relatively stationary support and the other secured to the slidable drawer. By such expedient there is eliminated the necessity for expensive and complicated guide means situated along the sides of the drawers or at other locations.

What is claimed is:

l. A. slide element including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of said flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively connected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel portions, each inwardly directed flange being spaced from its respective subchannel portion thereby to define a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such slide element, a central channel portion, said outwardly directed primary flanges comprising opposite flanges of said central channel portion, the latter being interposed between opposite subchannel portions of each of the aforementioned pairs of such portions.

2. In a slide element for nesting with a plurality of duplicates thereof, a center channel portion having a floor and two opposite sides, said sides forming a base channel portion and a flared channel portion, the latter portion adapted for nesting with the base portion of a next adjacent slide element, a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges integral with said channel portion and extending respectively outwardly from the opposite edges of said flared channel portion, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along the opposite outer edges of said opposite primary flanges, such subchannel portions being integral with their respective primary flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions positioned next to and along respective of said first-mentioned subchannel portions and conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of such next adjacent slide element, said center channel portion being positioned between the opposite subehannel portions of said pairs of such portions.

3. In an extension arm device for nesting with a plurality of duplicates thereof, a channel portion having a floor and sides, said sides forming a base portion of relatively restricted outer dimension measured transversely thereof and also a flared portion having an inner transverse dimension adapting same for nesting with the outer sides of the base portion of a next adjacent channel portion of a duplicate extension arm device, a pair of opposite primary flanges formed integrally with said channel portion along the opposite edges of the flared portion thereof, a pair of opposite extension arm sides formed integrally with their respective opposite primary flanges and having interposed therebetween the aforementioned channel portion of the extension arm device, said sides respectively being in transverse cross-section in the form of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannels extending longitudinally along respective opposite edges of said primary flanges and also a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposed subchannels extending along respective of said first-mentioned subchannels and conformed to receive the respective primary flanges of such next adjacent extension arm device.

grammar 4. An extension arm comprising in combination: a pair of nestable duplicate slide elements, each? of such elements including: a main channel portion having in transverse cro'ss s'ection side's whichform aflared outer part for engaging in nested relationship with the channel portion of the next adjacent slide element, a pair of primary flanges extending outwardly in opposite directions along-respective opposite edges of the opposite sides of the flared part of said channel portion, said flanges being integral with said' channel portion, a pair of opposite slide element sides formed integral-1y each with its respective primary flanges", and positioned With said main channel portion interposed therebetween said' opposite slide element sides being formed respectively in transverse cross-section in the shape substantially of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannels next adjacent respective of said opposite primary flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposed subchannels next adjacent respective of said first-mentioned subchannels, said interiorly accessible subchannels being thus positioned for receiving the respective primary flanges of the next adjacent slide element, the transverse distance between the opposite edges of said primary flanges being less than the transverse distance between the opposite floors of said interiorly accessible channels thereby to facilitate the nesting of the duplicate slide elements.

5. An extension arm comprising in combination: a pair of nested duplicate slide elements, each of such elements including: a main channel portion having in transverse cross-section sides which form a flared outer part for engaging in nested relationship with the channel portion of the other slide element, a pair of primary flanges extending outwardly in opposite directions along respective opposite edges of the opposite sides of the flared part of such channel portion, said flanges being integral with said channel portion, a pair of opposite slide element sides formed integrally each with its respective primary flange, said main channel portion being interposed between such opposite slide element sides, said opposite slide element sides being formed respectively in transverse cross-section in the shape substantially of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannels next adjacent respective of said opposite primary flanges, and a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposed subchannels next adjacent respective of said first-mentioned subchannels, said interiorly accesible subchannels thus receiving the respective primary flanges of the other slide element, the transverse distance between the opposite edges of said primary flanges being less than the transverse distance between the opposite floors of said interiorly accessible subchannels thereby to facilitate such reception of the primary flanges by said interiorly accessible subchannels, such primary flanges when so received being substantially coplanar with the nesting portions of both of the main channel portions of said pair of slide elements.

6. A slide element of an extension arm including a channel portion adapted for nesting cooperation with an identical channel portion of another such element slidably engaging same, su'ch channel portion having a primary part with a preselected transverse outer dimension at the bottom of such channel portion and a secondary part having a transverse inner dimension substantially equal to but slightly greater than the aforementioned preselected transverse dimension whereby such secondary part can slidably fit in relatively close engagement in nested rela tion over the primary part of a next adjacent and duplicate channel portion, a pair of primary flanges integral with and extending in opposite directions outwardly respectively from oposite edges of such channel portion, a pair of double groove portions secured to respective of said flanges each along the outer lip thereof and extending longitudinally of the slide elements, said double groove portions being respectively in transverse crossseetion substantially in S' shape and reverse S sh'ape, said channel portion being interposed between said double groove portions, said nesting primary and' secondary parts of a pair of such elements being positioned substantially inali'gnment with the primary flanges of one of such" elements which flanges are received by said groove portions of the other element.

71 extension arm including a pair of slide elements, each' havinga channel portion adapted for nesting with an identical channel portion of the other element slidablyengaging same, such channel portion having a primary part with a preselected transverse outer dimension at the bottom of such channel portion and a secondary part having a transverse inner dimension substantially equal to but slightly greater than the aforementioned preselected transverse dimension whereby such secondary part can slidably fit in relatively close engagement in such nested relation over the primary part of the other duplicate channel portion, a pair of primary flanges integral with and extending in opposite directions outwardly respectively from opposite edges of such channel portion, a pair of double groove portions integral with respective of said flanges each along the outer lip thereof and extending longitudinally of the slide elements, said double groove portions being respectively in transverse cross-section substantially in S shape and reverse S shape, said channel portion being interposed between said double groove portions, said double groove portions forming a pair of subchannels having months in face-to-face relation which on one such element are adapted for receiving the primary flanges of the other element, such nesting primary and secondary parts of the pair of elements being positioned substantially in alignment with the aforementioned primary flange received by said subchannels.

8. An extension arm comprising in combination: a pair of duplicate slide elements, each slide element including a main channel portion having a bottom part with a preselected uniform outer transverse dimension and a top part having a selected uniform inner transverse dimension substantially similar to but slightly in excess of said preselected outer dimension whereby the top part of one of such channel portions is nestable with respect to the bottom part of the channel of the next adjacent slide element, a pair of outwardly extending primary flanges integral with respective opposite edges of the top part of such channel portion; a pair of secondary flanges secured to respective of said primary flanges in spaced relation there to, said secondary flanges thereby forming parts of opposite subchannels which are substantially perpendicular to the channel defined by said first-mentioned main channel portion and exteriorly accessible with respect to the extension arm, a pair of tertiary flanges secured to respective of such secondary flanges respectively along the outer edges thereof and in spaced relationship thereto thereby forming another pair of subchannels having mouths in opposite face-to-face relationship each opening inwardly toward said first-mentioned channel portion, the latter being interposed therebetween, a transverse dimension as measured from opposite edges of said primary flanges being less than the transverse dimension as measured from the opposite bottoms of said second-mentioned subchannel portions, the nesting main channel portions of such pair of slide elements being substantially in alignment transversely thereof with the primary flanges of one of such elements which are received by such secondmentioned subchannels of the other slide element.

9. A slide element for an extension arm comprising: a main channel portion, a pair of primary flanges extending longitudinally of such element on opposite edges of said channel portion throughout the length thereof and having opposite parallel edges having a selected uniform transverse distance therebetween throughout the length of '7 such element; a pair of double channel portions secured respectively to the outer edges of said flanges and integral therewith, said double channel portions being in transverse cross-section respectively substantially S shaped and reverse 3 shaped whereby the peak of the S and the reverse 8 is connected to the outer edge of its respective primary flange, thereby forming a pair of subchannels with the mouths thereof opening outwardly with respect to said slide element and another pair of subchannels with the mouths thereof facing one another inwardly toward said main channel portion which is interposed therebetween, the depth of said main channel portion being substantially equal to the depth of said double channel portions as measured with respect to a transverse cross-section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,284 Welterlin June 2, 1908 937,731 Wiedman Oct. 19, 1909 949,119 Gruender Feb. 15, 1910 978,730 Gaut Dec. 13, 1910 1,526,506 Schilling Feb. 17, 1925 1,531,810 Pelton Mar. 31, 1925 2,712,972 Manson et a1. July 12, 1955 

